C-reactive protein: general review and role in the study of infections

Known since 1930, C-reactive protein is, as serum amyloid P component its similar, part of acute phase response proteins. Its principals properties are short half-life (6-8 h), great (within 6 hours) and high (X500) rate after injury. It activates the classical complement pathway, leading further to bacterial opsonization. Different biological methods for measurement are described: both nephelometric laser method, most sensible, and agglutination-latex method, most simple and quickest, are chosen. Studies showed us that CRP value is interesting for diagnosis of bacterial infections: among them neonates infections, peri-partum infections, meningitis, pyelonephritis, pancreatitis or peritonitis. CRP value determination seems to be useful also to hold on with patients who keep infectious peril, as in post chirurgical following, neutropenic induced patients. It seemed to be no use for CRP measurement in grafts following. Its rate in inflammatory diseases or myocardial infarcts is just mentioned. The author precognize more determinations of CRP: in emergency laboratories for diagnosis of bacterial infections (agglutination latex method) and in "routine" to follow up the infectious peril.